Shedding is a normal process for cats, and if you are a first-time cat owner, it shouldn’t worry you. Buying a cat brush or grooming tool will allow you easily groom your cat and reduce hair shedding around the house.
Why do cats shed hair?
Cats shed their hair for several reasons;
- When new hair forms, the old hair has to be discarded to create more space,
- Cats shed their hair during different weather seasons. For example, outdoor cats shed more hair during spring and autumn seasons compared to winter.
- Cats can shed their hair due to various medical conditions such as worm infestations, bacterial infections, and fleas’ infestations,
- Food allergies can cause the cats to shed their fur and
- Stress can also lead to your cat to shedding their hair, especially during pregnancy and lactation.
If your cat has only recently started shedding their hair, having not showing signs of this behaviour before, it is advisable to seek help from a veterinary expert to be able to come up with a treatment plan. For the non-medical cases, we’ve reviewed the best cat brushes available in the UK to help your cat grooming and to help get rid of those loose hairs.
Check out our guide on the best cat hair trimmers if your cats hair has got out of hand!
Best Cat Brush & Grooming Tool Reviews
We have scoured the market for the best deshedding tools for cats available in the UK.
Thunderpaws Professional De-shedding Tool & Pet Grooming Brush
This profession grade cat hair deshedding tool is an excellent option for your cat or kitten. The brush claims to reduce cat hair shedding by up to 95% after regular use and comes with a 90 day money back guarantee and a lifetime warranty to back it up.
The brush itself is easy to maneuverer and comes with 4 inch high quality stainless steel combs that are built to last. The brush is gentle to the skin and offers a safe and enjoyable experience for your cat. We think this cat brush offers excellent value for money and is our top pick for best cat brush available in the UK.
FURminator Short Hair Deshedding Tool
Just as the name suggests, this brush is excellent for cats with short hair, and since it is not a big tool, it is also suitable for small cats and kittens. It’s very affordable, and the blades are made of stainless steel meaning you can be assured they will not get any rust in case of exposure to moisture.
The handles are made of rubber which gives it a very firm grip, and it is not heavy making it ideal for getting rid of any loose hairs from all the body parts. It easily gets through to the undercoat and our cats ended up enjoying it a lot.
The most appealing part of this tool is the eject button which helps in cleaning the machine once you are done using it. It is very efficient, and it only takes a few minutes to remove huge chunks of hair.
FURminator Long Hair Deshedding Tool
If your cat has long thick fur and you usually have a problem finding the correct de-shedding device, this is the best tool for you. It is affordable and removes more hair than the ordinary brush or comb. It is straightforward to use regardless of the large size. The rubber handle gives it a firm grip and the blades are made of stainless steel.
You can also adjust the length of the teeth to allow you to remove the cat’s long hairs easily. However, the teeth are very sharp therefore you should be very cautious when using it to prevent cutting your cat. The eject button also comes in handy when cleaning the machine.
Fur Magic 2 Sided Deshedding and Dematting Tool
This two in one cat deshedding tool is ideal for short hair cats as well as long hair cats. The side with claw type pins helps to remove any knots, matting and tangles, and the side with shorter pins helps to remove the loose hairs.
The pins and claws are made from stainless steel, and although they look hard, provide an enjoyable experience for your cat. The pins are also rounded on the tips to ensure that they do not hurt the cat. The handle is firm, and with additional grip, makes it very easy to brush your cat.
This tool can also be used on dogs too therefore if you have both pets you can buy one for each. This is to prevent cross-contamination in case of a skin infection.
How often should you brush your cat?
This generally depends on the type of cat you have, but we brush our cats once or twice per week. As your cat gets older they will generally require slightly more grooming help from you (the same can be said for kittens too!).
If you have a long haired cat and notice that it is frequently getting matted fur, simply increase the amount of brushing you are giving them (up to once per day is perfectly fine).
Top tips for brushing your cat
Over the years we’ve brushed our fair share of cats. These are our top tips to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for you and your cat.
- Wait until your cat is comfortable and snuggly – we often brush our cats when they have come for a sleep our laps
- When introducing the brush, make sure to stroke your cat at the same time and even praise them with treats
- Be patient and start with a short amount of brushing until your cat adapts to brushing
- Start brushing the top of your cats back as this is the area they are most used to – you can introduce new areas as your cat becomes more receptive
- Make sure to regularly remove fur from the brush to make it as effective as possible
- If you find a matt that is too difficult to get out – it might be time to take your cat to a professional – or try using a wider spaced comb
Bottom line
Shedding is part of cats’ natural way of grooming. However, the fur can be a nuisance especially if you keep an indoor cat. Using a cat deshedding tool will help keep the hair at bay and will also ensure your cat has a soft coat at all times.
You should also be very observant to ensure your cats shedding is natural and not because of any underlying medical condition. Regular physical examinations are advisable to make sure they are not infested with fleas that may cause them to scratch a lot and shed their fur.
Indoor cats also shed their fur all year round. Therefore, the deshedding tools are a must-have for any cat owner. When choosing a de-shedding gadget for cats, ensure you consider the following;
- The size of your cat and
- The length of your cat’s hair.
All cats love the grooming process and choosing the correct cat grooming tool will ensure you have an easy time shedding the cats and they also get to enjoy the process.
